COMING TOGETHER – Hoboken residents gathered at Pier A Park on Wednesday night to remember the 57 Hobokenites killed in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The 57 victims were the most from any one zip code.

Body found on fence is man who frequented local homeless shelter, reports say

The man who was found dead outside an apartment building on Third Street in Hoboken on Tuesday was identified as 46-year-old Eric Ralph Santiago, according to media reports.

According to the report, Santiago’s death is being investigated as a homicide, and a spokesman for the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Gene Rubino, said that investigators believe Santiago was being pursued by two or three individuals when he was struck from behind, resulting in a broken neck.

EMTs at the scene on Tuesday night said that they believed Santiago was homeless, said NJ.com.

Several people outside the Hoboken Homeless Shelter described him as “humble” and “childlike.” Some said that he used to get meals at the shelter with his mother, according to a story.

One story said that he used to have an address on Garden Street.

According to Rubino, no motive has been established in the case, and investigators are still waiting for an official report from the Medical Examiner.

As of press time on Friday morning, the suspects were still at large.

If anyone has information related to the case, they are urged to call the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office at (201) 915-1345. Any tips will be taken confidentially.

Zimmer slate picked last in mayoral election ballot position drawing

The Hoboken City Clerk’s office drew names out of a wooden box to decide the ballot position of local candidates running for mayor as well as the three council seats, with incumbent Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her slate filling out the bottom slots of columns J and K, respectively. Fourth Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti, who only joined the race last week, will be positioned at the top of the column (1J) and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos will be in the middle (3J). Zimmer will be in the 5J spot.

As for the council candidates, Zimmer’s slate, made up of incumbents David Mello and Ravi Bhalla, along with Jim Doyle, will be positioned at 11K, 12K and 13K, respectively. Ramos’ slate – Laura Miani, Eduardo Gonzalez, and Joe Mindak – will be at 1K, 2K and 3K, and Occhipinti’s – Frank Raia, Peter Biancamano and Britney Cook-Montgomery will be at 5K, 6K and 7K. Independent council candidate Patricia Waiters is in the 9K slot.

Hoboken property owners invited to request street tree planting

In preparation for the fall 2013 tree planting, the Hoboken Shade Tree Commission is seeking property owners who would like a tree planted in the sidewalk adjacent to their building and who will agree to care for and water the tree, according to a press release from the city this week. Qualifying property owners can have a street tree planted in exchange for a $100 contribution towards planting costs and a pledge to keep the tree well-watered.

Property owners who would like a tree planted in a sidewalk tree well in front of their home should complete this online request form: www.hobokennj.org/boards/shade-tree-commission/treerequest/.

Requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and funding may be insufficient to immediately satisfy all requests.

Trees will not be planted on private property, only in sidewalk tree wells.

Trees are only planted during our two planting seasons: Spring (March 1 to May 31) and fall (Oct. 1 to Dec. 31). The next anticipated planting will take place in October or November, 2013.

‘Book Buddies’ bring together children at the Hoboken Library

The Hoboken Public Library announced the beginning of its Book Buddies program this week. Every Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., beginning on Oct. 3, the Hoboken Library is looking for fluent readers, ages 8 and up, and pre-readers, starting at age 3.5, who would like to get together and share books. A pre-selected cart of books will be available for the kids to make their choices, and then older kids will read aloud to younger children for about a half hour.

Please call the library at (201) 420-2348 ahead of time if you plan to attend. We will be starting with about 10 fluent readers and 20 younger children, but will vary the program as we judge its popularity.

Hoboken Family Alliance to host annual gala Sept. 19

The Hoboken Family Alliance invited residents to attend the third annual Hoboken Tasting and Gala event on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Kolo Klub, located at 1422 Grand St.

The international flavors of Hoboken will be highlighted through the theme, “Around the World in One Square Mile.” Local “worldly” favorite restaurants will provide a signature dish for guests to sample.

Featured in the lineup will be: Anthony David’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Cadillac Cantina, Choc O Pain, City Bistro, Clinton Social, Havana, Johnny Pepperoni, Karma Kafe, Littletown NJ, The Madison, ModCup, Old German Bakery, and Pilsner Haus. Part of this fundraiser includes a raffle with great prizes (including jewelry, beauty treatments, dance, exercise and floral classes, and gift certificates), generously donated by local businesses.

To purchase tickets, visit www.HobokenFamily.com.

Local realtor to help cancer-stricken 4-year-old with annual shredding party

ReMax Gold Coast Realty will hold its annual Shredding Party / Festive Fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 22, rain or shine, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot located at 76-78 Hudson St. (between Newark St. & Hudson Pl.). Admission is free. In addition to taking advantage of the shredding services, people will be able to enjoy the lively, carnival-like atmosphere featuring a DJ and live performance by hip-hop artist FRESH (@crownedFRESH) as heard recently on VH1, plus a bouncy castle, face painter, balloons and tattoos for the kids.

Available for purchase will be food and beverages generously donated by restaurant sponsor The Windmill of Hoboken.

This year’s fundraiser will benefit Hoboken 4-year-old Ari-Anna Jimenez, who is fighting a rare type of kidney cancer. Adding to the fundraising efforts, the business’ owner, Daniel M. Voehringer, will personally be matching all donations and proceeds up to $5,000.

“I’ve always been proud of how our agents jump right in when given the opportunity to serve our local community, and when hearing of Ari-Anna’s immense medical bills through our RE/MAX family who has ties to her family, it was a no-brainer that we wanted to help,” said Voehringer. “We know this is only a drop in the bucket, but we’re happy to contribute as much as we can, while bringing attention to this family’s need in the hope that others are willing to help as well.”

Ari-Anna’s battle with cancer began in March 2013 when she was diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumor, which is a cancer of the kidneys that typically occurs in children, rarely in adults, and is diagnosed in only approximately 500 patients per year in the U.S. With early detection and immediate medical attention, the cancer is highly responsive to treatment with survival rates as high as 90 percent, five years out. Ari-Anna has already endured several surgeries, transfusions and chemotherapy, and is doing well, but it is imperative she continues receiving intense medical care, which RMGCR hopes to help make possible with this fundraiser.

For anyone who cannot attend the fundraiser, but would like to make a donation, please go to Ari-Anna’s website: http://fundly.com/earn-your-wings-help-ari-ana-fight-cancer.

Rabbinical association bringing Intro to Judaism class to Hoboken

The New Jersey Rabbinical Assembly offers a comprehensive Introduction to Judaism Class, to begin on Wednesday Oct. 9 at United Synagogue of Hoboken.

The course will be of interest to anyone who wants to probe the depths of their Judaism, and will also serve as the educational basis for anyone considering conversion to Judaism. The classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Learning basic Hebrew reading is part of the course.

Classes will be taught by Rabbi Robert Scheinberg. The course is oriented toward a wide variety of individuals, including potential Jews by Choice and their spouses/significant others, non-Jews raising Jewish children, and born Jews who wish to learn more about their heritage.

Additional information about the course is available by contacting the program administrator, Ellen Nesson at (973) 285-9772 or ellen.nesson@gmail.com, or by visiting www.IntroJudaismNJ.com.

Correction to last weekend’s edition

A food review of local restaurant Carpe Diem that appeared in last weekend’s edition of The Hoboken Reporter incorrectly identified the restaurant’s website address. It is actually www.carpediemhoboken.com.